Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Rides and Touring => Topic started by: Karla on 18 April, 2018, 08:29:43 pm

Title: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 18 April, 2018, 08:29:43 pm
Did you ever watch Rimmerworld (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0684176/)?  No, it's not like that. 

I'm off.  In two weeks I finish work, then after another two I'm packing up and leaving, going for a bike tour with a route that looks something like this.  Then again, the route might change.  I'm commitment-phobic like that.

(https://lostbyway.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/rideToChina_wmc_small-1024x356.png)

Anyway, I've written a website so those of you who don't follow me on Instafaceterfeed can still get your daily dose of me.  Here it is:

lostbyway.com (https://lostbyway.com)

Go look at it, I think it's rather pretty.  If you want to sit there in your comfortable office chair and grow utterly sick with envy because you're not out there with me, surrounded by flies, stinking of something strange and feeling lost and alone, I promise I'll do my best to oblige.  Then again, if you just want to follow it so you can have a good laugh when I fall off after a week and get stretchered home, that's fine too  (well no it's not fine and I hope to rub it in your face when I get back unscathed, you big voyeuristic perv)
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: D.A.L.E. on 19 April, 2018, 02:00:47 pm
As said elsewhere, looking forward to it.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: bobb on 19 April, 2018, 03:01:53 pm
That should be epic! I shall keep an eye on your blog...
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: andrewc on 19 April, 2018, 04:30:54 pm
Looks like you are in for a good time. Hope all goes well.

Just a comment re the blog. I've got fairly decent vision & I don't find the light grey text on a white background very easy to read.  I'd  think that some people would struggle with it, you might want to change it for something with more contrast.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: perpetual dan on 19 April, 2018, 07:34:14 pm
That looks like a lot of fun, will be watching. For nice reasons :)


Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Ham on 19 April, 2018, 09:44:15 pm
#Can't think of a better word than epic, will be following with interest.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Ben T on 19 April, 2018, 10:50:08 pm
Make sure you only go to south Korea, don't wanna get caught by kim jong un  ;)
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 24 April, 2018, 09:37:42 pm
Lost Byway - The Visa Problem (https://lostbyway.com/the-visa-problem)

a.k.a.  "I am very grateful to Deano for falling foul of Pakistani visa regulations in 2011 so I know to watch out and not make the same mistake."
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Graeme on 24 April, 2018, 10:00:24 pm
Won't it be harder cycling because of the Earth's direction of spin?
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Ben T on 25 April, 2018, 10:12:03 am
No but if he's cycling west he'll be losing time , i.e. every day will be slightly shorter than if he were remaining still or cycling east.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 April, 2018, 11:57:53 am
It's a neat thing to put all your stories, or links to them, in one easily findable place.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: andrewc on 26 April, 2018, 10:11:34 pm
Easier to read now as well. Thanks for that.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 13 May, 2018, 05:59:53 pm
One week to go.  I'm having a leaving BBQ on the Saturday on the racecourse, from noon till whenever we pack up - probably four-ish.   Any and all forumites welcome - PM me if you're interested and I'll tell you which bit of the racecourse to look at. 
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Graeme on 13 May, 2018, 06:12:23 pm
Quote from: Karla on 13 May, 2018, 05:59:53 pm
One week to go.  I'm having a leaving BBQ on the Saturday on the racecourse, from noon till whenever we pack up - probably four-ish.   Any and all forumites welcome - PM me if you're interested and I'll tell you which bit of the racecourse to look at.

I'd love to come along but I'm in Wales for a bike ride. I'll be following your exploits online Mr Bunbury. :)
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: yorkie on 13 May, 2018, 08:41:26 pm
Quote from: Karla on 13 May, 2018, 05:59:53 pm
One week to go.  I'm having a leaving BBQ on the Saturday on the racecourse, from noon till whenever we pack up - probably four-ish.   Any and all forumites welcome - PM me if you're interested and I'll tell you which bit of the racecourse to look at.
I think I'm around on Saturday, I'll drop you a PM when I know what I'm doing.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Deano on 19 May, 2018, 10:25:32 pm
Well, he seemed very relaxed and not even half-ready, but I guess he'll be off tomorrow. Good luck, bunbury.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/949/27346932437_380eb8d520_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HEybg8)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/962/41317187175_08c7315893_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25X4oh8)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/909/27346928917_08b315580f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HEyadr)
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Graeme on 23 May, 2018, 08:42:46 am
Quote from: Deano on 19 May, 2018, 10:25:32 pm
Well, he seemed very relaxed and not even half-ready, but I guess he'll be off tomorrow. Good luck, bunbury.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/949/27346932437_380eb8d520_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HEybg8)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/962/41317187175_08c7315893_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25X4oh8)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/909/27346928917_08b315580f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HEyadr)

Either it is the way my phone has arranged the pictures, or you've cleverly arranged them Deano, but in that second photo Greg looks like a giant stood by a kettle drum with tiny friends sitting at his feet. I've just spotted Greg among his 'tiny friends' too... a 'mini me Greg'.

Greg. Books arrived, thank you. I plan to NOT let them inspire me. :)
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Deano on 23 May, 2018, 09:18:31 pm
In the Kettle Drum of Doom, you can see all the trapped souls of Greg's enemies, sacrificed for the sake of fair weather and non-grumpy officialdom on his travels.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 24 May, 2018, 09:21:52 am
Yeah, I stored them all in the artifacts in that strange eclectic pub we visited the other week.  One of them is haunting the double bass in the corner, the others inhabit those figurines hanging from the ceiling.

Anyway, I've lost sight of the cliffs.  Next time I see them they'll no longer be part of the EU.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: woollypigs on 24 May, 2018, 12:55:21 pm
Bugger off said in the most nicely way, now don't forget to have fun !
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 10 June, 2018, 10:02:52 am
I've now finished the European leg: this is posted from a cafe in Porto where I'll get a couple of days R&R before flying from Lisbon on Tuesday. 

Quote from: Deano on 23 May, 2018, 09:18:31 pm
In the Kettle Drum of Doom, you can see all the trapped souls of Greg's enemies, sacrificed for the sake of fair weather and non-grumpy officialdom on his travels.

It didn't work.  Every single sodding day since leaving the white cliffs, I've had rain.  There was one day (Thursday I think) where it didn't actually happen while I was cycling, plus a couple that let me off relatively lightly with showers, but apart from that it's all been either all day drizzle or violent thunderstorms.  The camera is currently clinging to life in ITU, the rain jacket had shown it's full inadequacy and the budget is looking rather queasy after the number of nights I've slacked off camping.  Bring on the desert!

Portugal's rather good though  :thumbsup:  it's not like northern Spain where you can ride across a featureless expanse for 30 miles, it's a compact country with lots and lots of twisty hilly lanes - like Britain except twice as warm and with tropical trees and plants crowding each other for space by the roadside.  I guess they get first bite at the Gulf Stream and we get the pale leftovers.  Also, they have cheaper coffee and better food: they're addicted to sweet treats of just the sort that make a cycling cafe stop worthwhile.

My one regret is that I'm not going to cycle more in Portugal - I'd originally intended to ride down to Lisbon but stopped here to see the Primavera festival last night and given I didn't set off at six this morning, there's not time so I'll get the train.  It really is ideal cycling country though; you should all come.  If I ever end up as a cycling tour guide, I'm bringing groups here.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: clarion on 10 June, 2018, 07:38:05 pm
Good stuff!  Over the pond now, eh?
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 10 June, 2018, 11:46:52 pm
I fly on the 12th.  It'll be my first time in the Americas - looking forward to it :)
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Graeme on 13 June, 2018, 04:40:26 pm
Quote from: Karla on 10 June, 2018, 11:46:52 pm
I fly on the 12th.  It'll be my first time in the Americas - looking forward to it :)

Happy landing?
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 13 June, 2018, 05:17:46 pm
The landing itself was fast and hard, into a thunderstorm.  I'm beginning to think I might be the reincarnation of Thor given how the thunder is following me round the world - does that work in Viking theology? 

I'm now taking a day in Miami while my bike gets a new BB and trued wheels in a local shop.  The shop was my second call off the plane yesterday, after a diner where I found that saying "Hello I've  got a really plummy English accent and I'm cycling round the world" is a good way of getting free food.  When I've did get to the shop I ran into a local club meeting where I became the impromptu guest speaker and got invited to someone's home for two nights.  No cycling so far, but pretty good so the same.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: pdm on 13 June, 2018, 06:08:57 pm
So the roads really ARE paved with cheese!?
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Graeme on 13 June, 2018, 09:47:08 pm
Quote from: Karla on 13 June, 2018, 05:17:46 pm
The landing itself was fast and hard, into a thunderstorm.  I'm beginning to think I might be the reincarnation of Thor given how the thunder is following me round the world - does that work in Viking theology? 

I'm now taking a day in Miami while my bike gets a new BB and trued wheels in a local shop.  The shop was my second call off the plane yesterday, after a diner where I found that saying "Hello I've  got a really plummy English accent and I'm cycling round the world" is a good way of getting free food.  When I've did get to the shop I ran into a local club meeting where I became the impromptu guest speaker and got invited to someone's home for two nights.  No cycling so far, but pretty good so the same.

Gosh that was a hard landing then.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Torslanda on 14 June, 2018, 03:10:21 pm
Quote
The landing itself was fast and hard, into a thunderstorm.  I'm beginning to think I might be the reincarnation of Thor given how the thunder is following me round the world - does that work in Viking theology? 

Not AFAIK but it does in H2G2.

You are Rob McKenna AICMFP...
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: andyoxon on 18 June, 2018, 07:49:39 pm
Glad you're ok after the everglade escapade!   :o
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 18 June, 2018, 09:39:09 pm
Aah, you mean the alligator incident  (https://lostbyway.com/a-narrow-escape)

I'm chalking it up next to Deano's tiger episode, with the difference that this one was totally avoidable and involved lots of silliness and general bunburying.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 05 July, 2018, 04:09:44 pm
I've my birthday next week so on D.A.L.E.'s suggestion I've created a Kindle wishlist where you can buy me ebooks to read on my travels.  Go on, be generous  ... just think, if I'm reading your book in my tent in Canada when TEH BEAR strikes, you could have provided me with the last bit of comfort I'll ever get.

Here's the link (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/registry/wishlist/3P98MW3PKT5B2).  Click away!
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 25 August, 2018, 05:42:43 pm
Today is a special day.  Over three months after setting out, and having ridden far enough north that I've already left 95% of Canada's population behind me, today I'll finally reach the latitude of York and camp further north than where I started.

In other news,  here's a blog post where I confirm all of Clarion's suspicions about what funny things go on in the US of A (https://lostbyway.com/the-usa).
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 August, 2018, 07:35:02 pm
I haven't read On the Road but the Kerouac I have read has been mixed – some pretty good but a lot of it just a dreary pool of words. The Dharma Bums was ok IIRC.
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 25 September, 2018, 10:08:52 am
It's the post you've all been waiting for: it's my kit list blog (https://lostbyway.com/kit-list-for-a-world-tour)!

(https://lostbyway.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/OI0000022-1024x819.jpg)

link to full-size image  (https://lostbyway.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/OI0000022.jpg)
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Kim on 25 September, 2018, 02:18:58 pm
I'm always impressed that people manage with such tiny sleeping bags!

Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 September, 2018, 02:55:04 pm
Quote
I had to carry a lot more did and supplies with me through northern Canada and Alaska, not to mention extra cold weather gear, so I posted some studd ahead to pick up in Anchorage.
Excellent forward thinking to have your own personal studd ready and waiting for you in Anchorage. Saves all that tiresome trawling of the local bars.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 25 September, 2018, 06:56:03 pm
Oops and thanks Cudzo, those errors have now been fixed along with several others.  Can you tell I was writing that post in a hurry before my flight?

Quote from: Kim on 25 September, 2018, 02:18:58 pm
I'm always impressed that people manage with such tiny sleeping bags!

Well I do have two of them, plus a liner.  I was still sleeping in lots of clothes towards the furthest north point though, and trying a bit harder than usual to find accommodation. 
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 17 November, 2018, 01:54:11 pm
Good news!  YACF can make it through (or over, under or round) the great firewall of China!
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Oscar's dad on 17 November, 2018, 04:39:12 pm
Wow!  So why don’t we have more members in China?
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Karla on 13 May, 2019, 03:28:19 pm
I've made it back to the West! As of yesterday I'm in Austria.

Below is some actual footage of my return.  I'm sure you'll all agree it was a momentous occasion.

Karla crosses the Iron Curtain (https://youtu.be/VYNlJlKt3NY?t=1m10s)
Title: Re: Bunbury World
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 May, 2019, 04:24:28 pm
Austria might be the right (literally, apart from the Prater of course!) side of the Danube but it's further east than Gomułka-land (as I'm sure you know). Hang on – is it safe for us to be seen talking to you?